Columbus Crew trade for Chicago Fire's Dominic Oduro

The Crew land an impact player in Dominic Oduro but lose two potential United States internationals in Billy Duka and Robbie Rogers

By Alex Labidou

Feb 4, 2013 10:59:00 AM

The Columbus Crew have acquired Dominic Oduro as the club continues
to revamp its roster hoping to return to the Major League Soccer
playoffs. However, the move wasn't an easy swap. The club agreed to
part with two potential United States internationals, sending the
rights of Robbie Rogers and midfielder Billy Duka to the Chicago
Fire.

Per MLS and club policy, financial terms of the deal were not
disclosed. Oduro will be added to the Crew’s roster immediately,
and as a United States Green Card holder, will not occupy an
international roster slot.

The Ghanaian speedster joins the Crew after spending two seasons in
Chicago, where the 27-year-old scored 18 goals and assisted on five
more in 66 regular season appearances with the Fire. Oduro secured
the club’s Golden Boot award in 2011 after scoring 12 times in his
inaugural season in Chicago, becoming the first Fire player to
tally double-digit regular season goals since 2004. Prior to his
time with the Fire, Oduro spent a combined five seasons with the
Houston Dynamo, New York Red Bulls and FC Dallas. Over his
seven-year MLS career, the Ghanaian midfielder has tallied 33 goals
and 17 assists in 183 appearances.

“This is a deal we’ve been working on for some time and we’re
thrilled to have finalized an agreement to bring Dominic to
Columbus,” said Crew Technical Director Brian Bliss in a written
statement. “He’s a player with proven pedigree in our League, and
his speed and scoring ability routinely put pressure on opposing
defenses. We feel that Dominic is a strong fit for our roster and
we’re excited about his contributions.”

In the exchange, the Crew parts ways with 23-year-old midfielder
Duka. Duka joined the Black & Gold as the eighth overall
selection in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft from Rutgers University. In
his three seasons with the Crew, Duka made 45 appearances, scoring
two goals and assisting on five others.

Rogers was a member of the Crew from 2007-11, helping the club to
the 2008 MLS Cup and back-to-back Supporters’ Shields in 2008 and
2009. Following the 2011 MLS campaign, Rogers joined English
Championship side Leeds United before going on loan to League One’s
Stevenage.

Oduro will join the Crew for preseason training in Orlando ahead of
the 2013 Disney Pro Soccer Classic.